Nice to meet you! I am Novia.

I am a fifth year Informatics PhD candidate at University of California Irvine, advised by Dr. Madhu Reddy . I research and design technologies to support mental health management among different populations, including adolescents, young adults, and older adult. My research primarily use qualitative research methods and participatory design to elicit information about people's existing behaviors related to mental health management and their conceptualization of digital mental health. Additionally, I have designed and developed interventions that leverage technologies such as voice assistants and mobile applications. Most recently, I am exploring the potential of using commercial generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to support adolescents' mental health.

Furthermore, I take a user-centric/HCI approach in my research to create engaging, culturally relevant, and need-appropriate digital mental health technologies. Leveraging my background and experience in psychology and product design, I am an interdisciplinary researcher where I have collaborated and worked closely with scholars from clinical psychology, software development,implementation science, and public health.

I'm a researcher.

I hold an MS from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in Information Science, specializing in UX Research/Design and HCI, and a BS from San Jose State University in Psychology. Here are some highlights.

Understanding and Evaluating Cultural Relevance of Digital Mental Health Tools

Working with the Asian American adolescent and young adult populations, we conduct focus groups, digital ethnographic research, and participatory design workshops to identify design requirements for creating culturally relevant digital mental health tools.

Read selected publications: CHI 2025, more publications under review

Designing Voice-Activated Mental Health Services for Older Adults and Caregivers

The process includes need-elicitation, participatory design sessions, prototype and software development, and clinical trials. This research is a part of Northwestern University's Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs) and funded by NIMH.

Read selected publications: DIS 2024, more publications under review

Understanding software developers' mental wellbeing and role of technologies

We conducted interviews with software developers to understand their experiences and perspectives of factors affecting their wellbeing at work. Self Determination Theory was used as a lens to evaluate impact of work processes and tools.

Read selected publications: CHI 2025, CHI 2023

I'm also a UX designer.

My process involves identifying user needs and iterating design solutions through mixed method user research. I collaborate with product managers and developers to create high fidelity interactive protoypes using Adobe XD and Figma.

NowPow: PowRx, NowRx, CommRx, FindRx

Researched and designed referral webapps for care providers, case managers, and patients. Referrals focus on social needs.

TechSmith: Hotkeys and Favorites

Designed new functionalities for a video editing desktop application, Camtasia, including hotkeys and favorites.

Bariatric Surgery Decision Aid

Researched and designed a decision aid with educational materials on post-surgery lifestyle changes for bariatric patients.

Beyond Academia

After switching my career trajectories several times, I realized that one way for me to make a difference in the world is to improve healthcare for people while doing something that I love: researching, teaching, and designing! Outside of research and UX design, I love doodling, crocheting, and baking.

Fun fact, I have a streak of 1700+ days of learning Japanese on Duolingo and recently started learning Italian. And I have an adorable dog named Biscoff who always reminds me to sleep at a reasonable time to maintain my physical and emotional health!